Taken from Equestrian Trails, Inc. (www.eti.av.org)
WAIVER & RELEASE FOR FREEMAN RANCH EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
This is a Waiver of Your Legal Rights, and an Agreement Not to Sue
Serious Injury or Death May Result From Riding or Being Near Horses
1. Participant’s Name (print): _______________________________________
Address: ___________________________City: ______________State:______ Zip:_______
Telephone: (____)_______________
2. Liability Release
In consideration for Freeman Ranch allowing me or my child to voluntarily participate in its
activities, I agree as follows:
a. This agreement, waiver and release applies to Freeman Ranch and Southwest Texas State
University employees, predecessors, attorneys, insures, members and volunteers who are
working in the course and scope of their duties on behalf of Freeman Ranch, at the time of
occurrence of any act or omission which is later alleged to be a cause or contribution to a claim
for injury, damages or death;
b. I forever release, hold harmless and indemnify Released Parties from liability for any and all
claims, demands, causes of action, damages, injuries or death to me or my minor children, my
horse and my property, and legal liability of every nature, including the negligent acts of direct
or indirect, arising out of participation in the past, present or future Freeman Ranch activities
(including equestrian activities, such as riding use of, or being near horses, whether at a arena
stable or on a trail ride) and I assume all risks of injury or death as set forth in this release;
c. I shall not bring any legal lawsuit, action or proceeding against any Released Parties, even if
they engage in negligent conduct; and
d. I make this agreement, waiver and release for and on behalf of myself, my spouse, my children
and/or ward, heirs, administrators, successors, representatives and assigns.
3. Activity Risk
I understand that some Freeman Ranch activities take place in isolated or wilderness areas over
rough terrain, and/or trails of unknown condition. I understand that the organizer, workers
involved in Freeman Ranch activities are not professionals in the horse industry, or in the planning
of trips, or in other areas of expertise regarding equine activities. I also understand that horseback
riding is a rugged adventure, recreation sport activity. I am aware that there are numerous obvious
and non-obvious inherent risks of serious injury or death, or property damage, to me or my hose,
which are always present in Freeman Ranch activities, on or near horses. I understand that
pregnant women are specifically advised to not ride horses. I understand that Freeman Ranch is
owned and operated under the concession of Southwest Texas State University and the activities
are for those individual who have come together to support and enjoy recreation-oriented activities.
4. Nature of Horses
I understand that no horse is completely safe, and the Released Parties make no representations or
guarantees regarding the safety, training or suitability of any horse. Horses are 5 to 15 times larger,
20 to 40 times more powerful, and 3 to 4 times faster than a human. If I fall from a horse to the
ground, it will general be at a distance of 4 to 6 feet, and the impact will injure me. A horse may
divert from its training and act according to its natural survival instincts and may abruptly change
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directions or speed, trip, slip, fall, stop short, shift its weight, buck, rear, kick, bite, spook, or run
from what it perceive to be a danger if it is frightened or provoked, or for no reason whatsoever.
5. Conditions of Nature & Locations
I agree that the Released Parties are not responsible for acts, occurrences, or elements of nature or a
particular location that can injure a person or scare a horse, cause it to trip, fall or react in some
other manner. These elements include thunder, lightening, rain, wind, and wild and domestic
animals, insects or other people and horses, and reptiles which may walk, run, fly near, bite and/or
sting a horse or person, irregular foot on groomed or wild land which is subject to constant change
according to weather, temperature, natural and man-made object. The Released Parties have not
inspected, and make no representations or warranties concerning the safety or condition of, any
trail, or other location on Freeman Ranch.
6. Helmet Warning
I am aware that protective head gear which meets or exceeds the quality standers of the SEI
certified and ASTM standard F1163 equestrian helmet, should be purchased and worn by me
and/or my child while riding and being near horses, and the wearing of such helmet may reduce the
severity of some head injuries and may prevent my serious injury or death as a result of a fall or
other occurrence. If I or my minor children do not wear a helmet, it is because we so choose.
I HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD AND VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO THIS THREE-PAGE
WAIVER & RELEASE. I FURTHER AGREE THAT NO OTAL STATEMENTS,
REPRESENTATIONS OR INDUCEMENTS APART FROM THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT
HAVE BEEN MADE TO ME RO OBTAIN MY CONSENT.
Dated:
Participant’s Signature:
(Print Name)
IF PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18, SIGNATURE OF AGREEMENT BY PARENT OR LEGAL
GUARDIANIS ALSO REQUIRED, AND SUCH PERSON FURTHER AGREES, PURSUANT
TO PARAGRAPH 2, ABOVE, TO RELEASE AND INDEMNITY THE RELEASED PARTIES
FOR ANY INJURY OR DEATH TO, OR ANY CLAIMS BY OR ON BEHALF OF, SUCH A
MINOR:
Minor’s Birth Date: _______________
Dated:__________________________
Signature: ___________________________
Relationship to Minor:_____________
____________________________________
(Printed Name of Signor)
Freeman Ranch Witness (print name) _____________-________________________
Description of Event Where Signed:________________________________
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